Sowjanya activists want Yash’s Toxic to be a disaster at box office 

Bengaluru/Mangaluru

Kannada actor Naveen Kumar Gowda, popularly known as Yash, has come under criticism from activists fighting for justice for Sowjanya following his meeting with influential figures associated with the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple. The actor’s visit to the temple and his interaction with its authorities have not gone down well with the Sowjanya movement, with several activists now calling for a boycott of his film Toxic released today (August 26, 2026).

Yash visited the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple on Tuesday along with film producer K. Venkat Narayana. While activists said they had no objection to the actor visiting the shrine and offering prayers, they questioned his decision to meet temple authorities and other influential persons who, they said, are facing serious allegations in connection with issues surrounding Dharmasthala.

The visit has also triggered discontent among large sections of the Vokkaliga community, to which Sowjanya and her family belonged. Members of the community have questioned the actor’s decision to meet people at the centre of allegations while the family of Sowjanya continues its prolonged struggle for justice.

Sowjanya activist Girish Mattannavar said Yash was free to visit the Manjunatha shrine and pray for his well-being, but argued that meeting influential persons facing allegations while investigations and legal proceedings are continuing was inappropriate.

“He is at liberty to visit the Manjunatha shrine and pray for his well-being. However, meeting influential persons who are facing accusations at a time when investigations are underway is wrong. He is sending a wrong message to his fans, many of whom are eagerly waiting for justice in the Sowjanya case and other cases linked to Dharmasthala,” Mattannavar said.

Mattannavar said activists had decided to boycott Toxic as a mark of solidarity with Sowjanya’s family. He questioned why Yash had not visited Sowjanya’s mother or expressed solidarity with her despite the case having drawn widespread public attention over the years.

“Yash never bothered to visit Sowjanya’s mother, despite this becoming a national issue and her fighting for justice since 2012. How can Yash be so indifferent to violence against a woman and yet meet people who are at the centre of the allegations?” he asked.

Tanush M Shetty, activist said Who could hate Yash? He is a matinee idol and a source of pride for Karnataka. No one would grudge him for a visit to the Manjunatha Swamy temple; that is a matter of personal faith and an individual’s right.

But his meeting yesterday with people facing serious allegations looked less like a temple visit and more like a public gesture of support for those under the scanner, particularly as it came alongside his movie promotion. That is what has hurt many people.

At a time when the Supreme Court itself has questioned the CBI’s handling of the Sowjanya case, asking, “Who are you trying to protect?”, such a meeting by a star with crores of followers sends the wrong message.

Public figures carry influence far beyond their personal choices. Sowjanya’s mother has been waiting for justice since 2012. The least that public figures can do is show sensitivity towards her long wait and avoid appearing to stand alongside those facing serious allegations in the case.

Another activist pointed to the recent developments before the Supreme Court, which has reserved order in special leave petition seeking reinvestigation into the Sowjanya rape and murder case. During the proceedings, the court had strongly questioned the manner in which the investigation was conducted and sought answers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), including the pointed question, “Who are you trying to protect?”

Activists said Yash, who commands a massive fan following across Karnataka and beyond, should therefore have exercised greater caution while meeting individuals facing allegations.

“He is visiting these people at a time when the Supreme Court has questioned the CBI over the manner in which the case was investigated. A person with millions of followers has a responsibility to understand the sentiments of people who have been demanding justice for years,” the activist said.

The activists also referred to findings in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report on the Dharmasthala mass-burial allegations. The report identifies Banglegudde as an area associated with alleged anti-social activities and records the recovery of skeletal remains, including seven to eight skulls and several bones, during the investigation. The SIT has also examined allegations concerning the disposal or burial of bodies in the area.

The developments have intensified criticism of Yash on social media, with several activists and netizens expressing their disappointment over his Dharmasthala visit. Some have gone a step further and urged his fans to stay away from Toxic when it releases.

One netizen, identified as Harish Shetty, said Sowjanya supporters would not remain silent merely because they were fans of Yash.

“Sowjanya activists will not remain activists if they watch Yash’s Toxic,” he said, calling for a boycott of the film.

Another social media user, Pramod Vittal, questioned Yash’s response to the Sowjanya case, particularly in the context of his Vokkaliga identity.

“Hailing from the Vokkaliga community, he did not extend his sympathies to Sowjanya’s family, but chose to visit people who are facing allegations,” Vittal said.

The backlash comes at a crucial time for Toxic, one of the most anticipated Kannada films, and places Yash’s Dharmasthala visit under intense public scrutiny. Whether the anger expressed by activists translates into an organised boycott remains to be seen, but the controversy has already opened a debate over the responsibility of public figures when they engage with individuals or institutions facing serious allegations.

For the Sowjanya activists, the issue is not merely about a temple visit. They maintain that Yash’s decision to meet the temple authorities at this juncture has hurt the sentiments of those who have been demanding justice for Sowjanya for more than a decade.